Multi-Hand Blackjack Game and Related Methods

ABSTRACT

Methods for playing a multi-hand blackjack game on a gaming machine in a casino environment are disclosed herein. According to one method, the gaming machine receives player input selecting the number of player blackjack hands for play. Additionally, the gaming machine receives player input selecting a wager amount. The selected wager amount is the same for each of the selected blackjack hands. The gaming machine then deals the selected number of player blackjack hands and a dealer blackjack hand. The gaming machine also receives player input for each of the selected number of player blackjack hands to form a final hand, and a determination is made to whether each of the final hands is a winning hand as compared to the dealer blackjack hand.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/558,377, also filed Nov. 8, 2006, entitled “Multi-Hand BlackjackGame and Related Systems.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to gaming methods and systemsthat offer a multi-hand blackjack game.

BACKGROUND

Blackjack is a popular casino table game due to the simplicity of thegame, speed of play, and small house advantage. While this table gamehas been popular, electronic gaming machines, such as slot machines andvideo poker machines, have surpassed table games in popularity andrevenue-generation for a casino. Accordingly, the number of table gamesin a gaming establishment has been reduced in order to allocate morespace to gaming machines. The limited supply of seats at blackjacktables has resulted in higher minimum wagers that intimidate orotherwise deter casino patrons from playing blackjack.

As a result, gaming machines presenting blackjack games have beendeveloped to fill this void. These blackjack games are single-hand gamesthat only allow a player to play one hand at a time because the gamingmachines were limited in terms of the size of the game display. As shownin FIG. 1, traditional blackjack gaming machines have CRT (cathode raytube) displays 2 that are not big enough to clearly display 4 more thanone blackjack player hand (and all potential split hands) playingagainst a dealer hand 6. Additionally, larger CRT displays are difficultto securely mount in a gaming machine and use too much space within agaming cabinet. Furthermore, in order for a gaming cabinet toaccommodate a large CRT display, the gaming cabinet would require alarge footprint, thereby decreasing the number of gaming machines thatmay be placed on a casino floor and thereby reduce casino profitability.

Furthermore, traditional blackjack gaming machines only allow a playerto place one initial wager on the game. While the denomination of thewager may be varied, there are constraints as to the amount of the wageron each game. For example, the player has to select a particulardenomination (nickels, quarters, or dollars) and the player is limitedin the number of maximum credits wagered per hand (e.g., five times thedenomination unit). Because a single game can only be played at a giventime, the casino return is limited. Stated differently, the player wouldneed to play at a fast pace in order to generate a profitable rate ofreturn for the casino. Furthermore, because players are limited tocertain wager amounts, the player's perceived return might be consideredtoo insubstantial to play the video blackjack game, thereby reducing thelikelihood that the game is played. Accordingly, what is needed is ablackjack game machine that improves the profitability of a videoblackjack gaming machine while providing the excitement of a live tableblackjack game.

SUMMARY

Briefly, and in general terms, various embodiments are directed togaming machines and methods for playing a multi-hand blackjack game.According to one method, the gaming machine receives player inputselecting the number of player blackjack hands for play. Additionally,the gaming machine receives player input selecting a wager amount. Theselected wager amount is the same for each of the selected blackjackhands. The gaming machine then deals the selected number of playerblackjack hands and a dealer blackjack hand. The gaming machine alsoreceives player input for each of the selected number of playerblackjack hands to form a final hand, and a determination is made as towhether each of the final hands is a winning hand as compared to thedealer blackjack hand.

According to another method, the multi-hand blackjack game having atleast two player blackjack hands is presented on a widescreen gamedisplay. The gaming machine receives player input selecting the numberof player blackjack hands for play. Additionally, the gaming machinereceives player input selecting a wager amount. The selected wageramount is the same for each of the selected blackjack hands. The gamingmachine then deals the selected number of player blackjack hands and adealer blackjack hand from a single deck of cards. The gaming machinealso receives player input for each of the selected number of playerblackjack hands to form a final hand, and a determination is made as towhether each of the final hands is a winning hand as compared to thedealer blackjack hand.

In yet another method, the multi-hand blackjack game includes sevenplayer hands of blackjack that are presented on a widescreen gamedisplay. The gaming machine receives player input selecting two to sevenplayer hands for play. Additionally, the gaming machine receives playerinput selecting a wager amount that is applied to each of the playerblackjack hands. The gaming machine then deals the selected number ofplayer blackjack hands and a dealer blackjack hand from a single deck ofcards. The gaming machine also receives player input for each of theselected number of player blackjack hands to form a final hand for eachof the selected number of player blackjack hands, and a determination ismade as to whether each of the final hands is a winning hand as comparedto the dealer blackjack hand.

Other features and advantages will become apparent from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate by way of example, the features of thevarious embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art gaming machine having a 4:3aspect ratio display.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a gaming machinepresenting a multi-hand blackjack game.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for operating agaming machine presenting a multi-hand blackjack game.

FIGS. 4A-4G illustrate the game screens for one embodiment of themulti-hand blackjack game.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of one method of presenting amulti-hand blackjack game.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of one method of presenting amulti-hand blackjack game that includes a bonus game.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a system suitable for implementing oneembodiment of multi-hand blackjack game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are directed to electronic gaming machines, gamingsystems, and related methods directed to presenting a multi-handblackjack game. The multiple hand (multi-hand) blackjack game allows aplayer to play at least two hands against a dealer hand in one gamingmachine. Furthermore, the widescreen display of the gaming machineallows a player to view all of the player hands and the dealer hand on asingle display. According to one embodiment, the multi-blackjack handallows a player to play up to seven hands of blackjack against thedealer hand. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the number ofplayable hands may be greater than seven.

According to one embodiment, the multi-hand blackjack game is playedwith a single deck of playing cards having fifty-two cards. After eachgame is played, the single deck is shuffled prior to dealing asubsequent game. Because the game is played with a single deck, theplayer wagers for each hand is equal in order to maintain the houseadvantage. That is, if a player is able to select varying wagers, theplayer may place small wagers on the initial hands and larger wagers onthe last hand in order to count cards and swing the advantage in favorof the player. In the event that the player has selected to play amaximum number of hands (e.g., seven blackjack hands) and there is not asufficient number of remaining cards in the single deck to play a hand(either player or dealer) or to determine whether one or more playerhands is a winning hand, each player hand will be a winning hand. Inanother embodiment, the multi-hand blackjack game is played withmultiple decks.

In another embodiment of the multi-hand blackjack game, a preselectedtriggering event initiates a secondary game. In yet another embodiment,the preselected triggering event initiates a bonus game. In yet anotherembodiment, the preselected triggering event results in a progressivejackpot award.

Referring to the drawings, and specifically to FIGS. 2-4G, there isshown one embodiment of a gaming device having a multi-hand blackjackgame. Specifically, the gaming device 100 includes a cabinet housing 120that accommodates a game display 140 and a plurality of player-activatedbuttons 160. As shown in FIG. 2, the cabinet 120 is a self-standing unitthat is generally rectangular in shape. In other embodiments, thecabinet (not shown) may be, without limitation, a table-top stylecabinet, or a slant-top cabinet. Any shaped gaming cabinet may be usedwith any embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cabinet 120 houses a widescreen display 140(i.e., 16:9 aspect ratio display) that presents a game of chance such asa multi-blackjack game. In one embodiment, the display 140 is a flatpanel display including by way of example only, and not by way oflimitation, liquid crystal, plasma, electroluminescent, vacuumfluorescent, field emission, LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon), and SXRD(Silicon Xtal Reflective display), or any other type of panel displayknown or developed in the art. These flat panel displays may use paneltechnologies to provide digital quality images including by way ofexample only, and not by way of limitation, EDTV, HDTV, or DLP (DigitalLight Processing). The widescreen display 140 is able to accommodate themaximum number of multiple blackjack hands that are available for play.Furthermore, the widescreen display 140 may also display one or moresplit hands for each of the maximum number of blackjack hands withoutcreating overly small card images that would be difficult to see by theplayer.

According to one embodiment, the widescreen display 140 may be mountedin the gaming cabinet 120 in a portrait or landscape orientation. Inanother embodiment, the game display 140 may also include a touch screenor touch glass system (not shown). The touch screen system allows aplayer to input choices without using any electromechanical buttons 160.Alternatively, the touch screen system may be a supplement to theelectromechanical buttons 160.

In alternate embodiments, the cabinet 120 may house a widescreen display140 in addition to one or more displays (not shown). The additionaldisplays may be used to display a pay table, animation, top box artwork,progressive jackpot information, advertising, help menus, or anygame-related or general interest information. The additional display mayalso present a secondary game such as, but not limited to, mechanicalslots, video slots, video keno, video poker, video roulette, or Class IIbingo. In alternate embodiments, the additional display may presentgames of skill or games of chance involving some player skill.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 100 includes a plurality ofplayer-activated buttons 160. These buttons 160 may be used for variousfunctions such as, but not limited to, selecting a wager denomination,selecting a number of games to be played, selecting the wager amount pergame, initiating a game, or cashing out money from the gaming machine100. While the buttons 160 shown in FIG. 2 are mechanical buttons, atouch screen system, touch pad, track ball, mouse, switches, toggleswitches, or other input means may be used to accept player input.

In an alternate embodiment, a cellular phone or other input device(e.g., PDA), separate and apart, from the gaming machine may also beused to input various player choices and information to enhance theplayer's interactive experience with the gaming machine. Furthermore,inputting information via these devices provides an added level ofsecurity as any key presses may be hidden from view. In yet anotherembodiment, a player may call or send a text message or a short messageservice (SMS) to the gaming machine.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 100 includes a cashless gamingsystem 180. The cashless gaming system 180 includes a ticket printer andticket reader that are provided on the gaming machine 100. The ticketprinter and ticket reader may be separate or integral components. Asshown in FIG. 2, the ticket reader and the ticket printer have separateslots 202, 204 for receiving and issuing tickets, respectively.Alternatively, the same slot (not shown) may be used to insert and/orissue a ticket. In one embodiment, the ticket reader (not shown) of thecashless gaming system 180 is capable of accepting previously printedvouchers, paper currency, promotional coupons, or the like. The ticketprinter (not shown) of the cashless gaming system 180 generates vouchershaving printed information that includes, but is not limited to, thevalue of the voucher (i.e., cash-out amount) and a barcode thatidentifies the voucher.

Additionally, in another embodiment, the gaming machine 100 is incommunication with a player tracking system 210. The player trackingsystem 210 allows a casino to monitor the gaming activities of variousplayers. Additionally, the player tracking system 210 is able to storedata relating to a player's gaming habits. That is, a player can accrueplayer points that depend upon the amount and frequency of their wagers.Casinos can use these player points to compensate the loyal patronage ofplayers. For example, casinos may award or “comp” a player free meals,room accommodations, tickets to shows, and invitations to casino eventsand promotional affairs.

Typically, the player tracking system 210 is operatively connected toone or more input components on the gaming machine 100. These inputcomponents include, but are not limited to, a slot for receiving aplayer tracking card, a keypad or equivalent, an electronic buttonreceptor, a touch screen and the like. The player tracking system 210may also include a database of all qualified players (i.e., thoseplayers who have enrolled in a player rating or point accruing program).Generally, the database for the player tracking system 210 is separatefrom the gaming machines 100.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an operating system 220 suitable foroperating the gaming device 100. According to one embodiment, theoperating system includes a central processing unit (CPU) 230 thatexecutes a game program 240 that causes the video display screen 140 todisplay a base game (e.g., multi-hand blackjack game) that includes aninitial set of two simulated cards. According to one embodiment, acurrency acceptor 260 signals the CPU 230 when a player has inserted aform of currency such as, for example and without limitation, papercurrency, coins or tokens, cashless tickets or vouchers, electronicfunds transfers, or the like. The player controls the operation of thegaming device 100 (e.g., selecting the number of hands to play, wageramount, or game play actions) via electromechanical buttons 160 ortouchscreen buttons (not shown). The multi-hand blackjack game starts inresponse to the player further pulling a lever or pushing one of buttons160. A random number generator 270 responds to instructions from the CPU230 to provide a randomly shuffled deck or shoe from which cards aredealt. The CPU 230 deals cards that are displayed on video displayscreen 140. In response to instructions from the CPU 230, any winninghand is paid according to the rules of the game and is provided to theplayer in the form of coins or credits by payout mechanism 280.

In various embodiments, the game program 240 may be stored in a memory(not shown) comprising a read only memory (ROM), volatile ornon-volatile random access memory (RAM), a hard drive or flash memorydevice or any of several alternative types of single or multiple memorydevices or structures.

It should be appreciated that not all gaming devices 100 will have allthese components and may have other components in addition to, or inlieu of, those components mentioned here. Furthermore, while thesecomponents are viewed and described separately, various components maybe integrated into a single unit in some embodiments.

Turning now to FIG. 4A, a screenshot of a multi-hand blackjack game isshown on the widescreen video display 140. As shown in the screenshot ofFIG. 4A, the video display 140 presents a plan view of a blackjack tablehaving seven simulated player hand positions 301, 302, 303, 304, 305,307, 307 and a dealer hand position 308. As those skilled in the artappreciate, the multi-hand blackjack game may have two or more simulatedhand positions. This screenshot simulates the view of a traditionaltable blackjack game. In an alternate embodiment, the screenshot may bea two-dimensional or three-dimensional view of a blackjack table and aplurality of player hand positions. Furthermore, a video image of adealer may be shown to simulate the dealing and game play of theblackjack game.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the display 140 also presents a credit meter 310that presents the player's current credit balance (i.e., remainingcredits for play or redemption). According to the embodiment shown inFIG. 4A, the display 140 has an optional meter that displays the lastamount of the last winning outcome. In other embodiments, additionalmeters 320 may be presented on the display screen that containinformation such as the number of credits awarded to the player pergame.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the SEE PAYS button 330accesses a pay table (not shown) that displays the payout for winningoutcomes of the blackjack game. Alternatively, a help button 340 may beactivated to access the pay table. Once the SEE PAYS button 330 or thehelp button 340 is activated, the pay table may be presented on the maindisplay screen 140. Alternatively, the pay table is presented on asecondary video display (not shown). In another embodiment, the paytable is printed on a display (e.g., by silk screening) that is attachedto the gaming device (e.g., a “pay glass.”) The pay table informationmay be presented in terms of odds (e.g., “Blackjack pays 3 to 2”) orrelative to a single-coin wager (e.g., “Blackjack pays 2 coins”).Alternatively, some video representations of pay tables may factor inthe amount of the player's wager and no additional award adjustment isrequired by the player to determine the size of a win.

According to one embodiment, the player selects the active player handpositions by touching the corresponding player hand position 301, 302,303, 304, 305, 306, 307 on the touchscreen or touch glass. In anotherembodiment, the player selects the desired number of hands and the CPU230 automatically selects the hand positions moving from right-to-leftor vice versa. As shown in FIG. 4A, the player is able to select thewager for the selected using touch screen selection buttons 350 thatcorrespond to incremental bets of one credit or a maximum wager. Inother embodiments, the player may select the wager for a hand usingelectromechanical buttons, a toggle switch, or any means of receivingplayer input. According to one embodiment of the multi-hand blackjackgame, the wager selected by the player is applied to each and everyactive blackjack hand. Stated differently, the wager for each activehand is the same in order to maintain the house advantage for the game.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the display screen 140 also provides a REBET/DEALbutton 360 that allows a player to initiate game play. Alternatively,corresponding buttons 160 on the gaming device control panel (FIG. 2)may be used in conjunction with or in lieu of the touchscreen buttons350 to perform any of the actions described herein.

The multi-hand blackjack game may be played according to the set ofrules provided in Table 1, which are meant to be exemplary and notintended to be limiting. For example, in another embodiment, themulti-hand blackjack game is dealt from multiple 52-card decks (e.g., 7decks). Alternatively, Blackjack may pay 3:2 rather than 2:1. However,those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the rulesof the blackjack game may be altered to adjust the house or playeradvantage.

TABLE 1 Game is dealt from a single 52-card deck Player may play 1 to 7hands per Game Dealer stands on all 17's Blackjack pays 2:1 Insurancepays 3:1 Player may double down on 10 or 11 only Player may split anypair up to 4 times Aces may be split up to 4 times, but with only onehit per Ace

With reference to the screenshot in FIG. 4B, the player has elected toplay seven hands. According to one embodiment, the active hands arerepresented by identifiers 370 that note the position (e.g., HAND 1,HAND 2, HAND 3, etc.) of the selected hand. The identifier 370 ispresented when the hand position is activated and is presented adjacentto the player position. As shown in FIG. 4B, a bet indicator 380represents the amount wagered on each hand. In another embodiment,active hand positions are denoted by an outline of a card or handposition. In yet another embodiment, changing the color of theidentifiers 370 represents the active hand positions. Alternatively, anicon or symbol (not shown) may represent that a hand position 301, 302,303, 304, 305, 306, 307 is activated. As those skilled in the art willappreciate, the multi-hand blackjack game may use any means ofsignifying an active hand position.

As shown in FIG. 4B, bet indicators 380 are associated with each activehand and display the number of credits wagered for that hand. In oneembodiment, bet indicators 380 are represented by an image of gamblingchips that correspond to the player's wager. Different denominations ofchips may be represented by different colors or by any other indicia. Asshown in FIG. 4B, the bet indicators 380 show that ten credits (whereineach credit is worth $0.01) have been wagered on each hand. As thoseskilled in the art will appreciate, any type of bet indicator may beused to represent the player's wager amount.

FIG. 4C is screenshot representation of cards 390 having been dealt toeach of the active player hand positions 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306,307 and the dealer hand position 400. As shown in FIG. 4C, the highestpossible total for the value of the face-up cards in each of the activeplayer hand positions 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307 is reflected bya player card total box on the display 410. According to one embodiment,the dealer's highest value of the face-up-card total is reflected in thedealer card total box 420. For example, the dealer's Ace card may becounted as either 1 or 11, but the highest total value (i.e., 11) isshown in the dealer card total box 420. Similarly, the card total forthe third active player hand 303 may be either 3 or 13 (depending onwhether the Ace is counted as having a value of one or eleven), but thevalue shown in the card total player card total box 410 is highestpossible total value (i.e., thirteen). In an alternate embodiment, theplayer card total box 410 may alternate between the two possible cardtotals (i.e., 3 or 13). The final total evaluation of each hand willalways use the highest possible total for comparison between theplayer's hand and the dealer's hand.

In the example shown in FIG. 4C, the multi-hand blackjack game offers aninsurance option with message 430 because the dealer's face-up card isan Ace. If the gaming machine 100 includes a touch screen, the playermay touch the cards or areas of the screen near any hand he wishes toinsure. Alternatively, the player may select those hands to insure viacontrols such as, but not limited to, a mouse, trackball or the like mayalso be used in lieu of a touchscreen. As shown in FIG. 4C, the playerhas elected to insure HAND 7. If the dealer has “Blackjack,” the playerwill only lose the initial wager on HAND 7 but will win a matchingpay-off on the insurance wager. Alternatively, if the dealer does nothave “Blackjack,” the player will lose the insurance wager but not theinitial wager.

Turning now to FIG. 4D, the game actions available to the player areshown at the bottom of the display 140. The player is able to “hit”(i.e., draw another card), “stand” (i.e., refuse to draw another card),“double down” (i.e., double the player's initial wager and only drawingone card), or “split” the hand (i.e., match the initial wager and dividethe initial hand into two hands for play). As shown in FIG. 4D, theplayer has hit the first hand 440 (i.e., drawn an additional card 450).The total value 410 has exceed 21 (i.e., total hand value is 25) and theplayer has lost and has a “bust” hand. Accordingly, an indicator,symbol, or icon (e.g., term ‘bust”) 460 is shown on or around the hand440 that has busted.

FIG. 4E is a screen shot illustrating that game play has moved from HAND1 to HAND 2 by displaying an arrow 470 between the first and secondhands. The arrow 470 is shown for illustrative purposes and is not acomponent of the game. However, the arrow 470 may be displayed in thehelp menu or in a demonstration mode. In some embodiment of themulti-hand blackjack game, the arrow 470 may be a component of the game.In another embodiment, a halo or ring (not shown) may flash around theactive hand. As shown in FIG. 4E, the player has elected to stand. Oncethe player has selected a game play action (e.g., stand in HAND 2), theplayer's elected action is displayed on or around the active hand.

FIG. 4F illustrates the game flow of the multi-hand blackjack game. Asshown, the game moves from hand-to-hand in a clockwise manner. That is,the game moves in the direction of the arrows 470. As shown in FIG. 4F,the player has elected to draw an additional card and then stand on HAND3 with a card total of 18. With respect to HAND 4, the player has hittwo times (i.e., drawn two additional cards) and then elected to standwith a card total of 19. Turning now to HAND 5, the player has electedto stand without drawing any additional cards thereby having a cardtotal of 19. Game play then turns to HAND 6 where the player has electedto stand with a card total of 18. For HAND 7, the player has pressed theDOUBLE DOWN button 480 and thereby electing to receive only oneadditional card in exchange for the opportunity to double the initialwager of 10 credits to 20 credits. As shown in FIG. 4F, the player'selected action (i.e. doubling down) is displayed on or around the activehand with the indicator “Double.”

FIG. 4G illustrates the dealer hand 480 being played by the CPU 230.That is, the dealer 480 hand is played after the active player handshave been played. Once the player has finished playing all the activehands, the dealer's hole card 490 (i.e., the card that is face down) isrevealed to give the dealer a total hand of 20. Accordingly, the activeplayer hands 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307 are compared to thedealer hand 480. A player card total greater than the dealer hand totalis a win, and a player card total less than the dealer hand total is alosing hand. If a player card total is the same as the dealer handtotal, the player hand “pushes” (i.e., ties) and no win or loss occursfor this player hand. Accordingly, reviewing the player hands in FIG.4G, the player lost HAND 1 because the player's card total exceeded themaximum of 21. With respect to HAND 2, the player has pushed (i.e., boththe player and dealer hands total 20). With respect to HANDS 3, 4, 5,and 6, the player has lost since they player card totals (18, 19, 19,and 18, respectively) are less than the dealer card total of 20. HAND 7,with a total of 21, is a winning hand and pays 20 credits, as shown bypay indicator 500. As shown in FIG. 4G, the total of all winning handsis also reflected on the win paid meter 510.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a logical flow diagram generally depicting theacts associated with operating a multi-hand blackjack game. At block600, game play is initialized when the player inserts credit into thegaming machine. The credit may be in the form of currency (paper orcoin), account credits, promotional credits, debit cards, credit cards,or the like. At block 610, the CPU 230 receives player input from thetouchscreen or player activated controls, and the CPU 230 determines thenumber of hands the player has selected to play and the player'sselected wager amount. The player's selected wager is then applieduniformly to all of the active hands. That is, the player is not allowedto vary the wager for each of the active hands.

At block 620, a first card is dealt face-up to each active handpositions, and the dealer card is dealt face-down. A second card is thendealt face-up to each active hand position. Then, the dealer card isdealt face-up. In another embodiment, the player cards are dealt facedown and then revealed as each hand is played.

After the active player hands and the dealer hand have been dealt, theCPU 230 determines if the dealer's face-up card is an Ace at block 620.If the face-up dealer card is an Ace, the player is provided with theopportunity to buy insurance for one or more of the player's hands atblock 630. In an alternate embodiment, at block 620, the CPU 230determines if the dealer's face-up card has a value of 10 (i.e., 10 orface card). If so, the player is provided with the opportunity to buyinsurance at block 640. If the CPU 230 does not receive player inputelecting to buy insurance, the game continues at block 650, where theCPU 230 processes player input regarding game play (i.e., player makesoptional hit, double or split decisions until the hand total busts orthe player decides to stand).

At block 660, the CPU 230 determines whether there are additional handsto be played. If the player has wagered on more than one hand, game playat block 650 continues. If there are no remaining player hands to play,game play moves to block 670 where the dealer hand is played.

At block 670, the dealer's face-down card is revealed. If insurance wasoffered in block 640, insurance wins and losses are resolved for eachhand on which an insurance wager was made based on whether the dealer'shand is a blackjack (i.e., an Ace combined with a 10 or a face card).According to the rules of the multi-hand blackjack game, the dealer hitsor stands based upon the card total of the dealer's hand. For example,in one embodiment, a dealer hand may be required to stay on all handstotaling 17 or more. In another embodiment, a dealer hand may be forcedto hit “soft 17,” (i.e., a hand comprised of an Ace and a 6, thecombined value of which is 17 when the Ace is treated as an 11).

Once a total has been established for the dealer's hand, the dealer'shand total is compared to each of the non-busted player hands at block680. If the dealer's hand total exceeds the total for a particularplayer hand, the player's hand is lost and no credits are awarded. Ifthe dealer's hand and a particular player hand tie, credits equal to theoriginal wager are returned to the player in a “push.” If the dealer'shand total is less than the player hand total, the player is awarded awin according to the pay table. For example, if the dealer hand total is19 and the player hand total is 20, the player is awarded credits equalto the original wager plus another equal sized award for the win. In thecase of a player hand that resulted in a blackjack (an Ace and a 10 orface card), the player is commonly awarded the base win plus a premium.Any credits paid for the various hands are awarded to the player by,typically, but not limited to, incrementing the gaming machine's creditmeter by the amount paid and play resumes at block 610. In the eventthat the dealer hand has busted, all active player hands that have notbusted are winning hands.

In the event that the dealer hand or any player hand cannot be completed(e.g., single deck game and all 52 cards have been used), all the playerhands are deemed winning hands and the credit meter is incrementedaccordingly. For a single deck, multi-hand blackjack game, once theplayer's active hands are evaluated against the dealer hand, the single52-card deck is shuffled for the next game. For a multiple deck game,the decks may be reshuffled after every game or the deck is shuffledafter a certain number of cards have been played. As those skilled inthe art will appreciate, the order of actions as shown in FIG. 5 aremerely illustrative and not meant to be considered limiting.

FIG. 6 illustrates a logical flow diagram for managing a multi-handblackjack game having a bonus game. The logical flow diagram of FIG. 6is similar to that of FIG. 5 except that after all the hands of themulti-blackjack game have been played, the CPU 230 determines whether atriggering event has been established at block 690. The triggering eventis a condition that needs to be satisfied in order to initiate a bonusgame at block 695. The triggering event may be a particular game outcomesuch as, but not limited to, a blackjack hand consisting of an Ace andany suit of a Jack. Alternatively, the triggering event may be winningall active hands (e.g., all seven hands of blackjack). In yet anotherembodiment, the triggering event may be winning a hand against thedealer where the player has “hit” at least 4 times. In anotherembodiment, the triggering event is a particular “poker” hand based uponthe blackjack hand. For example, if the player's blackjack hand consistsof a pair of Jacks or better (e.g., three-of-a-kind, straight, orflush), this will trigger the bonus game. As those skilled in the artwill appreciate, the triggering event does not have to be a winningblackjack hand but any possible game outcome may trigger the bonus game.

Additionally, triggering events may be based upon playeractivity/actions. For example, the triggering event may be based uponplayer performance such as, but not limited to, inserting a playertracking card into the gaming machine, time of play, rate of play (i.e.,number of games player in a particular period of time), number ofmaximum bets, number of player points earned, or a combination thereof.In another embodiment, a random player performance characteristic may beselected to be the triggering event. For example, a bonus game istriggered when a player has played the multi-hand blackjack game for 30consecutive minutes. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, one ormore of the triggering events may be required to initiate a bonus game.

In another embodiment, the gaming machine presenting a multi-handblackjack game may include a progressive jackpot. In this embodiment, ifa player achieves a predetermined game outcome or triggering event, theplayer may be entitled to a portion of or the entire progressivejackpot. For example, if the player elects to play the maximum number ofhands with maximum wagers and the player receives a blackjack on all ofthe hands, the player wins the entire progressive jackpot amount. Asthose skilled in the art will appreciate, any combination of winningoutcomes may entitle the player to a portion of or all of theprogressive jackpot.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a gaming system 700 allows amulti-hand blackjack game to be played in a particular area of a casino(e.g., a carousel) or across one or more casinos located ingeographically separate areas through cooperative or competitive playunder the control of a system server 710. For example, the players atvarious betting positions on the displayed blackjack table may reside atmore than one gaming machine. The type of server 710 used is generallydetermined by the platform and software requirements of the gamingsystem 700. Examples of suitable servers are an IBM RS6000-based server,an IBM AS/400-based server or a Microsoft Windows®-based server, but itshould be appreciated that may suitable server may be used.Additionally, the system server 710 may be configured as a “logical”server that comprises multiple physical servers. The gaming machines 100illustrated in FIG. 7 act as terminals for interacting with a playerplaying a casino game. Networking components facilitate communicationsbetween the system server 710 and game management units 720 and/orgaming display control computers 730 that control displays for carouselsof gaming machines 100 across a network 740. Game management units(GMU's) 720 connect gaming machines to networking components and may beinstalled in the gaming machine cabinet or external to the gamingmachine 100. The function of the GMU 720 is similar to the function of anetwork interface card connected to a desktop personal computer (PC).Some GMU's 720 have much greater capability and can perform such tasksas presenting and playing a blackjack game using a display 750operatively connected to the GMU 720. Displays related to blackjackgames being played on gaming machines 100 or GMU displays 750 may alsobe presented on gaming displays 760 by gaming display control computer730. In one embodiment, the GMU 720 is a separate component locatedoutside the gaming machine 100. Alternatively, in another embodiment,the GMU 720 is located within the gaming machine. Optionally, in analternative embodiment, one or more gaming machines 100 connect directlyto a network and are not connected to a GMU 720.

Of course, one will appreciate that a gaming system 700 may alsocomprise other components, and the above illustrations are meant only asexamples and not as limitations to the types of components or games usedin a casino gaming system having a multi-hand blackjack element.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only should not be construed to limit the claimedinvention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that may be made to the claimed inventionwithout following the example embodiments and applications illustratedand described herein, and without departing from the true spirit andscope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the followingclaims.

1. A method for playing a multi-hand blackjack game, the methodcomprising: providing a gaming machine in a casino environment, whereinthe gaming machine presents multiple hands of blackjack for play by aplayer; receiving player input selecting a number of player blackjackhands for play; receiving player input selecting a wager amount, whereinthe selected wager amount is the same for each of the selected number ofplayer blackjack hands; dealing the selected number of player blackjackhands and a dealer blackjack hand; receiving player input for each ofthe selected number of player blackjack hands to form a final hand; anddetermining whether each of the final hands is a winning hand ascompared to the dealer blackjack hand.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising initiating a bonus game in response to a triggering event. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein receiving player input selecting thenumber of player blackjack hand further comprises receiving player inputselecting two to seven blackjack hands.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein receiving player input to form the final hand further comprisesreceiving player input to request an additional card, stand, doubledown, split, or purchase insurance.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereindealing the selected number of player blackjack hands and the dealerblackjack hand further comprises dealing the selected number of playerblackjack hands and the dealer blackjack hand from a single deck ofcards.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising shuffling the singledeck of cards prior to dealing new player and dealer blackjack handsafter the determination of whether each of the final hands is a winninghand as compared to the dealer blackjack hand.
 7. The method of claim 5,further comprising awarding the selected wager amount to each of theselected number of blackjack hands if there is not a sufficient numberof cards to form the final hands for all of the selected number ofblackjack hands.
 8. A method for playing a multi-hand blackjack game ona gaming machine in a casino environment, the method comprising:providing a gaming machine that presents a multi-hand blackjack game ona widescreen game display, wherein the widescreen display is capable ofpresenting at least two player hands of blackjack; receiving playerinput selecting a number of player blackjack hands for play; receivingplayer input selecting a wager amount, wherein the selected wager amountis the same for each of the selected number of player blackjack hands;dealing the selected number of player blackjack hands and a dealerblackjack hand from a single deck of cards; receiving player input foreach of the selected number of player blackjack hands to form a finalhand for each of the selected number of player blackjack hands; anddetermining whether each of the final hand is a winning hand as comparedto the dealer hand.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprisinginitiating a bonus game in response to a triggering event.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising shuffling the single deck of cardsprior to dealing new blackjack hands after the determination is made ofwhether each of the final hands is a winning hand as compared to thedealer blackjack hand.
 11. The method of claim 8, further comprisingawarding the selected wager amount to each of the selected number ofblackjack hands if there is not a sufficient number of cards to form thefinal hands for any of the selected number of blackjack hands or thedealer hand.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving player inputselecting the number of player blackjack hand further comprisesreceiving player input selecting two to seven blackjack hands for playagainst the dealer hand.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein receivingplayer input to form the final hand further comprises receiving playerinput to request an additional card, stand, double down, split, orpurchase insurance.
 14. A method for playing a multi-hand blackjack gameon a gaming machine in a casino environment, the method comprising:providing a gaming machine that presents a multi-hand blackjack game ona widescreen game display, wherein the widescreen display is capable ofpresenting seven player hands and a dealer hand; receiving player inputselecting a number of player hands ranging from two to seven hands;receiving player input selecting a wager amount that is applied to eachof the player blackjack hands; dealing the selected number of playerhands and a dealer hand from a single deck of cards; receiving playerinput for each of the selected number of player blackjack hands to forma final hand for each of the selected number of player blackjack hands;and evaluating whether each final hand is a winning hand as compared tothe dealer hand.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprisinginitiating a bonus game in response to a triggering event.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising shuffling the single deck ofcards prior to dealing new blackjack hands after the determination ismade of whether each of the final hands is a winning hand as compared tothe dealer blackjack hand.
 17. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising awarding the selected wager amount to each of the selectednumber of blackjack hands if there is not a sufficient number of cardsto form the final hands for any of the selected number of blackjackhands or the dealer hand.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein receivingplayer input to form the final hand further comprises receiving playerinput to request an additional card, stand, double down, split, orpurchase insurance.